Senior UX Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Researcher

Company: Elekta

Location: Shanghai, China

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Experience (UX) Research / Product Development Operations

Date Posted: 2026-06-02

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and execute comprehensive user research and usability testing initiatives for Elekta's advanced hardware and software products, with a strong emphasis on regulated medical devices.

• Develop and implement robust usability strategies that align with program objectives and stringent regulatory submission requirements, working in close partnership with Regulatory Affairs.

• Drive the end-to-end planning, scoping, and execution of UX research activities, ensuring timely delivery in accordance with product roadmaps and release schedules.

• Act as a subject matter expert in usability engineering, providing critical guidance and review within cross-functional product development teams to ensure user-centricity and compliance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is explicitly focused on UX Research and Usability Engineering within the context of medical device development, requiring a deep understanding of regulatory compliance and its impact on user experience design and validation. The "Operations" aspect is derived from the critical role UX research plays in the product development lifecycle, directly impacting product release timelines, regulatory approval, and overall market readiness. This is not a traditional Revenue or Sales Operations role, but rather a specialized function within Product Development Operations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver hands-on user research and usability testing activities to ensure an excellent user experience for Elekta hardware and software products, including regulated medical devices.

• Define and document usability strategy, ensuring alignment with regulatory submission strategies and compliance requirements in collaboration with Regulatory Affairs.

• Independently plan, conduct, and document a range of UX research activities, including contextual studies, interviews, surveys, task and use error analyses, user reviews, heuristic evaluations, and formal usability testing.

• Manage the recruitment of participants and potentially oversee subcontracted agencies for usability testing, including the creation of RFQs and review of agency proposals.

• Act as the primary usability subject matter expert within product release teams, actively participating in meetings, reviewing technical documentation, and approving usability-related deliverables.

• Collaborate effectively with diverse disciplines, including delivery leads, systems engineers/architects, product managers, clinical experts, and UX Strategy & Design, fostering positive working relationships.

• Proactively identify and communicate potential risks related to usability and user experience, escalating issues as necessary and adapting to changing priorities and challenging situations.

• Champion the business value of UX research and usability engineering throughout all interactions and project phases, ensuring stakeholders understand its critical contribution.

• Contribute to continuous improvement efforts within UX research and usability processes, identifying efficiencies and best practices.

• Participate actively in Agile ceremonies and PI-planning, clearly articulating research plans, dependencies, and identified risks to cross-functional teams.

• Review and provide constructive feedback on the deliverables of other UX professionals, offering mentorship and coaching to more junior team members.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a senior-level individual contributor role that also involves leadership and mentorship. The emphasis on "regulated medical devices" and "regulatory submission strategies" is a critical differentiator, indicating a need for expertise in standards like IEC 62366. The mention of "Agile ceremonies and PI-planning" suggests integration into a scaled agile framework, common in complex product development environments.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• 5-10 years of hands-on experience in user research and usability engineering, with a significant portion focused on complex software and hardware products, preferably in the medical device or regulated industry.

• Proven track record of independently planning, conducting, and reporting on a variety of user research methodologies.

Required Skills:

• User Research: Expertise in planning and executing diverse research methods (e.g., contextual inquiry, user interviews, surveys, diary studies).

• Usability Testing: Proficiency in designing, conducting, and analyzing formative and summative usability tests for regulated products.

• Human Factors / Usability Engineering: Deep understanding of human factors principles and usability engineering processes, particularly as applied to medical devices (e.g., IEC 62366).

• Regulatory Compliance: Familiarity with regulatory submission processes and documentation requirements for medical devices (e.g., FDA, MDR).

• Task & Use Error Analysis: Ability to perform detailed analyses to identify potential use errors and their severity.

• Heuristic Evaluation: Skill in evaluating user interfaces against established usability principles.

• Agile Methodology: Experience working within Agile development environments, including participation in ceremonies like PI-planning.

• Stakeholder Management: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to effectively collaborate with and influence product managers, engineers, and regulatory affairs.

• Participant Recruitment: Experience in identifying, screening, and recruiting appropriate user participants for research studies.

• Coaching & Mentorship: Ability to guide and mentor junior UX researchers.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with qualitative and quantitative data analysis tools.

• Familiarity with Elekta's product portfolio and the radiation therapy domain.

• Experience managing external research agencies.

• Knowledge of UX design principles and interaction design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on medical device regulations (IEC 62366) is a critical qualifier for this role. The "5-10 years" experience level suggests a need for both independent contribution and the ability to guide others.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a range of UX research projects, with a clear emphasis on contributions to regulated product development.

• Demonstrate experience in translating research findings into actionable design recommendations and usability improvements.

• Include examples of detailed usability test plans, protocols, and reports that meet regulatory standards.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of creating and maintaining detailed documentation for usability testing activities, including risk assessments and use error analyses.

• Examples of workflow design and optimization for research processes, demonstrating efficiency and effectiveness.

• Demonstrate experience in documenting research findings in a clear, concise, and actionable manner for diverse stakeholders, including regulatory submissions.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UX Researcher role, particularly in a regulated industry, a robust portfolio is paramount. It should not just show what was done, but how it was done, with specific attention to process rigor, regulatory adherence, and measurable impact on user experience and product safety.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance coverage, including medical, dental, and vision.

• Retirement savings plan (e.g., pension or 401k equivalent).

• Paid time off, including vacation days, sick leave, and public holidays.

• Opportunities for professional development, including training, conferences, and certifications.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses and stock options.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility often available.

• Participation in Agile ceremonies may require occasional adjustments to the daily schedule.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary ranges are estimates based on industry benchmarks for similar roles in Shanghai, China, considering the experience level and specialized skills required. Specific compensation will be determined by Elekta based on qualifications, experience, and internal salary bands.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Healthcare Technology (Medical Devices - Radiation Therapy)

• Elekta operates within the highly regulated and critical field of healthcare technology, specifically focusing on solutions for cancer treatment. This industry demands a strong commitment to quality, safety, innovation, and ethical practices. The work directly impacts patient outcomes, fostering a mission-driven culture.

Company Size: 5,000 - 10,000 employees

• As a company of this size, Elekta likely offers a balance between structured processes and opportunities for individual impact. There are established departments and career paths, but also room for senior individuals to influence strategy and operations within their domain.

Founded: 1972

Team Structure:

• The Senior UX Researcher will report to the Manager, UX Research, indicating a dedicated UX Research team.

• This team is part of a larger UX & Design (UX&D) organization, which includes UX Strategy & Design, Industrial Design, and UX Development.

• Close collaboration is expected with Product Management and Engineering teams.

Methodology:

• The team likely employs a combination of user-centered design methodologies and Agile development practices.

• Emphasis on data-driven decision-making through rigorous user research and usability testing.

• A structured approach to defining and validating user requirements and ensuring product safety and effectiveness.

Company Website: https://www.elekta.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on radiation therapy for cancer treatment is crucial context. It implies a high-stakes environment where user experience directly influences treatment efficacy and patient safety, demanding meticulous research and validation.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor with Leadership Potential

Reporting Structure:

• Reports to the Manager, UX Research. This provides a direct line of guidance and mentorship within the UX research discipline.

Operations Impact:

• The Senior UX Researcher's work directly impacts the safety, efficacy, and usability of Elekta's medical devices. This has profound implications for patient outcomes and the company's regulatory standing and market success.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of UX research or human factors within the medical device domain (e.g., AI in diagnostics, specific therapy modalities).

• Leadership: Progress to a Lead UX Researcher or UX Research Manager role, overseeing teams and strategic research direction.

• Cross-functional Expertise: Expand knowledge into product management, regulatory affairs, or clinical applications to gain a broader understanding of the product lifecycle.

• Process Improvement: Lead initiatives to refine and optimize the company's UX research and usability engineering processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path emphasizes deepening expertise within the specialized medical device UX field or moving into management roles, reflecting typical senior-level career progression in established tech companies.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Likely a modern, collaborative office space designed to foster innovation and teamwork.

• Given the nature of product development, the environment is expected to support both focused individual work and collaborative sessions.

Office Location(s): Shanghai, China

Workspace Context:

• Access to necessary research tools, software, and testing facilities.

• Opportunities for regular interaction with UX designers, researchers, product managers, and engineers.

• A culture that values evidence-based design and user advocacy.

Work Schedule:

• While typically 40 hours per week, the role demands flexibility to accommodate user research schedules, which may involve early mornings, evenings, or weekends for participant testing.

• Participation in Agile ceremonies may require adherence to specific team meeting times.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Shanghai location suggests a dynamic, potentially fast-paced work environment within a global organization. The emphasis on collaboration and access to resources is key for effective UX research operations.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review your application and resume to assess baseline qualifications and experience.

2. Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion focused on your experience, research methodologies, understanding of usability engineering in regulated environments, and leadership potential.

3. Portfolio Review & Presentation: You will be asked to present a selection of your work, demonstrating your research process, impact, and how you’ve navigated complex challenges, particularly those related to regulatory compliance.

4. Skills Assessment / Case Study: Potentially a take-home assignment or an in-interview exercise to assess your problem-solving skills and approach to a specific research scenario.

5. Team / Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with other UX researchers, designers, product managers, and engineers to evaluate your collaborative style and fit with the team.

6. Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to discuss strategic alignment and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 projects that best showcase your expertise in user research and usability engineering for regulated products. Highlight your role, the problem, your methodology, key findings, and the impact of your work.

• Emphasize Process: Clearly articulate your research process, including how you planned, conducted, and analyzed studies. For regulated products, detail how you ensured compliance with standards like IEC 62366.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics to demonstrate the impact of your research (e.g., reduction in critical use errors, improvement in task completion rates, positive impact on regulatory submissions).

• Tell a Story: Structure your presentations to tell a compelling story about the user, the problem, and how your research led to a better product.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your decision-making process, how you handle conflicting feedback, and how you advocate for users.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready to discuss how you would approach a specific usability testing scenario for a medical device.

• Prepare to explain complex research findings in a clear and concise manner to both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Consider how you would manage competing priorities and stakeholder demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is a critical component for senior UX roles, especially in regulated industries. Candidates should prepare to demonstrate not just research skills, but also strategic thinking, regulatory awareness, and the ability to translate insights into tangible product improvements.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Prototyping & Design Tools: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD (for reviewing/annotating designs)

• User Research Platforms: UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze (for remote testing and data collection)

• Survey Tools: SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics, Google Forms (for questionnaires and surveys)

• Data Analysis Software: Excel, SPSS, R, Python (for quantitative analysis), Dovetail, NVivo (for qualitative analysis)

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics: Tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, or internal analytics platforms for understanding user behavior within software.

• Reporting Tools: Tableau, Power BI, or similar for creating dashboards and visualizing research findings.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly managing CRM, understanding how user data feeds into product development and customer feedback loops is beneficial. Experience with project management tools like Jira and Confluence is essential for working within Agile teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with a range of user research tools is expected. The ability to analyze both qualitative and quantitative data is crucial, as is experience with tools used in Agile development workflows.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Patient-Centricity: A deep commitment to improving patient outcomes through safe and effective medical technology.

• Excellence & Quality: Striving for the highest standards in research, design, and product development, particularly given the regulatory environment.

• Collaboration: Working effectively across diverse teams (engineering, product, regulatory) to achieve shared goals.

• Innovation: Continuously seeking new and better ways to understand users and improve product experiences.

• Integrity & Compliance: Upholding ethical standards and adhering strictly to regulatory requirements.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative and cross-functional, requiring strong partnerships with Product Management, Engineering, UX Design, Industrial Design, and Regulatory Affairs.

• Emphasis on clear communication, active listening, and constructive feedback.

• A culture that values data-driven insights and evidence-based decision-making.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core values are intrinsically tied to the healthcare industry and the specific challenges of medical device development. A candidate must demonstrate alignment with these values.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Regulatory Complexity: Balancing user needs with stringent regulatory requirements (e.g., IEC 62366) for medical devices can be challenging.

• Cross-functional Alignment: Ensuring buy-in and effective integration of research insights across diverse departments (e.g., engineering, product management, regulatory).

• Access to Users: Recruiting specific types of healthcare professionals or patients for research studies can be difficult and time-consuming.

• Fast-Paced Development: Adapting research methodologies and timelines to the demands of Agile product development cycles.

• Global Product Scope: Conducting research that is relevant and applicable across diverse global markets and user populations.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Human Factors Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in advanced human factors engineering and medical device usability.

• Industry Conferences: Attendance at leading UX research and human factors conferences (e.g., HFES, CHI).

• Mentorship: Guidance from experienced UX research managers and senior practitioners within Elekta.

• Exposure to New Technologies: Working with cutting-edge radiation therapy technology and contributing to its user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are specific to the medical device industry and the complexities of regulated product development, offering significant learning opportunities for growth.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance user needs with strict regulatory constraints. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?"

• "How would you design a usability study for a new feature in our radiation therapy planning software? What key risks would you focus on?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Elekta and our mission to improve cancer treatment?"

• "How do you see your role contributing to a patient-centric culture?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Impact: Select projects where your research led to demonstrable improvements in user experience, safety, or regulatory compliance.

• Detail Your Process: Be prepared to explain the "why" behind your methodological choices and how you adapted them to the specific context of a medical device.

• Quantify Results: Use data and metrics to support your claims about the success of your research.

• Address Challenges: Be open about challenges faced and how you overcame them, demonstrating resilience and problem-solving skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily favor demonstrating understanding of regulatory requirements and the ability to apply UX research principles in a high-stakes medical device environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the Elekta careers portal via the provided link.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating expertise in user research and usability engineering for regulated medical devices. Emphasize your process, findings, and impact, particularly concerning safety and compliance.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your experience with relevant UX research methodologies, human factors principles (especially IEC 62366), and experience in the healthcare or regulated technology sectors. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your experience using the STAR method, focusing on situations where you influenced product direction or ensured regulatory adherence through user research. Prepare to present your portfolio and answer scenario-based questions.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Elekta's mission, products (especially in radiation therapy), and the broader healthcare technology landscape to demonstrate genuine interest and understanding.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.